5 comments about Getting Ready.

1. At a time when one's heart is filled with terror after a diagnosis, and the future looks bleak, and the world has closed down around you to the point that everything seems surreal, it seems nearly impossible to breathe, much less to look at serious medical treatment positively. While you may be someone for whom the "foo foo" element of meditation may be something you'd have to overcome to listen to Siegel, I can attest that the effort is worth it. This tape is calming, nurturing, and hopeful. Facing life-changing medical experiences, its holistic support, and Siegel's own sort of safely reassuring voice-of-your-favorite-uncle tone, can ratchet down the fear. I highly recommend it.



2. This was given to me 4 years ago when I started on my Cancer recovery road. Since then I have bought and given away at least 10 copies. I continue to have them available and give them out as early as possible in other's recovery. I don't know where I would have been without it and everyone I have given it to asks where to get it for someone they know. Thank,s Bernie.



3. I've followed Bernie Siegel's philosophy on the mind/body connection since my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in the 1980's. Now I have breast cancer and am undergoing radiation to follow up my two surgeries to remove the cancer. This CD follows Bernie's belief in the mind/body connection and is giving me a lot of assistance and constructive views of the treatments. The fear of the unknown is common for all patients, regardless the diagnosis. His explanations and coaching of how to view the treatments as gifts, and a sources of life giving blessings rather than invasion, assault, mutilation that initially we all feel when faced with this disease...has radically changed my mindset and helped my fears. The techicians who minister to me daily have noticed a huge change in my reaction to treatment, and my emotional well being. I am relieved and feel empowered, and THEY are relieved to see me do better. Anyone who receives a diagnosis of cancer should listen to this CD at least 10 times before surgery, then chemo, and radiation. And listen to it daily during treatment to ingrain the message of LIFE and GIFTS and HEALING into your mind, body, and spirit. Crucial for your emotional well being and a "help" to fight the disease. Whether a cure is the result of your treatements, or an extension of life, and a better quality of the gift of life that we each are blessed with every day, I highly recommend this CD.



4. 
   I did not personally listen to this CD - I purchased it for someone else - they loved it!



5. This tape has been of incredible value to me. It was highly recommended to me by a friend who has twice survived cancer. As an active, health-conscious 62 year old, I was diagnosed in February of 2007 with colon cancer. My shock and fear were overwhelming. Bernie Siegel provided in this tape and other of his works the information and inspiration I needed to turn my fear into determination. As he says, I moved from "why me?" to "try me!" I use this tape and another of his tapes, "Meditations for Enhancing Your Immune System," on a regular basis, including before and during each of my chemotherapy infusions, and I am moving through my treatments with minimal side effects while managing to maintain my vitality. I recommend it to anyone diagnosed with cancer, to those who have a loved one with cancer, and to oncology medical personnel. Thank you Bernie, for such a wonderful gift. Plum Jones

4 comments about Women and Self-Esteem: Understanding and Improving the Way We Think and Feel About Ourselves.

1. This is a succint and comprehensive guide to understanding how self-esteem is developed and how it can be enhanced. The authors examine the impact of developmental, cultural and religious attitudes and of media influences on a woman's ability to accept and appreciate herself. They also offer specific, practical advice on how to address the various difficulties that arise as a result of low self-esteem. This is a valuable book, thoughtful and well-researched.



2. I picked up this book over ten years ago. It really helped me to change the lens with which I view myself. Today I recomend it to the clients I work with. I find that it helps women deal with issues of self esteem in simple yet effective manner. It has excercises that are easy to do and have great results in changing how women view themselves. I highly recomend this for any women struggling with issues of depression, anxiety and or self esteem.



3. This book helped me fight for my self-esteem, and as another reviewer said, it's impact lasts years. It's the book I recommend to my friends struggling, like I did, for their self-esteem



4. Although I enjoyed the majority of the book, I was quite annoyed with the constant blaming of "male dominated" society and culture. Although it is true that society and culture plays a role in a woman's self-esteem, I found that the authors spent too much time blaming men for women's problems. I am a little disappointed in the book!
   
   Good book...but it could do without the heavy amount of feminism.

5 comments about Your Body's Telling You: Love Yourself!.

1. A great aid and companion for anyone who wants to get to the very heart of any illness or ailment. Lise Bourbeau's book is a dictionary of dis-eases with an explanation of mental, emotional, and spiritual blocks related to each illness. She explains how to 'let go' on every level and guides you through self forgiveness along the path to complete and permanent healing. Self love is the key, I felt revitalised and transformed, I highly recommend this uplifting read. If you like Louise Hay's 'You can heal your life workbook' you'll love this too!



2. The book describes illnesses in terms of 1) the illness and what it is in medical terms, as well as the description, 2) what your body is saying to you due to this, and 3) what you should be doing in terms of resolving the illness in terms of emotions.

   While you may not agree with the principles of metaphysics in health,which in two words, is that all sickness have an emotional reason for being, that most can be cured if the emotional reasons for being are eliminated, the book is certainly one which should be next to your medical and traditional dictionaries.

   The book is not only highly informative; it is a fabulous thinking tool which makes sense. I can only counsel each and everyone to at least look at it.




3. This valuable metaphysical reference guide contains 20 years of research. The book deals with the effect on thoughts on the body, explaining that physical problems are the outward manifestation of disease on the mental and emotional levels. The physical body merely responds to these thought imbalances and by its symptoms sounds a warning of the need to return to the way of peace, balance and harmony in thought. The author provides simple techniques to correct wrong thoughts and to enable the reader to heal her or himself. The book includes a comprehensive guide to the causes of more than 500 diseases and illnesses and the cure for each of them. This is a truly impressive work that belongs on the bookshelf of everyone that is willing to take responsibility for his or her own health. Another great author whose books and audio books are helpful in this regard, is the wonderful Louise Hay.



4. This book helped me to get the real issues around my aches and pains. It's true, your body really is trying to talk to you. Once you understand the message you truly can heal yourself.



5. After studying various ways of healing I can say that is a great reference book. I believe the whole goal is to remind us that we can heal ourselves and our body is there to tell us what is going on. It's a matter of taking time to pay attention.
   
   Not everything in the book does apply because we are all different in our thinking. But a lot of the information was on the ball. When I reflect back on some of the ailments I had as child such as acne or toothaches she was on point. It made so much sense to me and when things are going on in my life I go to this book and it helps me slow down to reflect and heal more internally. It's a great starting point for anyone who is learning to take a more natural and holistic way of healing. Just a few things:
   
   1)What I've been taught over the years is that your language can dictate the creation of dis-ease. "That guy is a pain in the neck." Later in life you have serious neck pain.
   2)I recommend looking up New German Medicine. Ms. Bourbeau does reference Dr. Hammer in the beginning of the book. There are some great youtube videos that talks of his work and will only compliment this book.
   3)This is not a book of quick fixes but is very powerful if one takes the time to discern how they arrived at the dis-ease.
   
   So if your someone who is a counselor or one who wants something more holistic then buy this book. I'm grateful to Ms. Bourbeau for her years of hard work in creating this book. It's a great tool for healing.

5 comments about Ritual: Power, Healing and Community.

1. I cannot stop reading Malidoma Patrice Some's accounts of his life and the lives of the Dagara people of Burkina Faso. The strong linkages between community, spirit, rituals, and individual growth are compelling and very engrossing. I first read "The Healing Wisdom of Africa: Finding Life Purpose Through Nature, Ritual, and Community," with awe and a realization of the connections that my own people lost when my ancestors were transported from this part of the world by slave traders.

   However, Malidoma, through works like this one, opens our eyes to the possibilities that all is not lost to us, and that even in this modern westernized culture, there are ways in which we can begin to make some of those connections again, through the way we relate to community and our loved ones.

   I found the chapter titled "a ritual sampler:The funeral and language of grief especially interesting and thought provoking.

   I can hardly wait to read more of your books Malidoma. Thank you.




2. This man has considerably more skill both as a thinker and as a writer than the average philosopher, or anthropologist, or even 'New Age prophet'. He really lays everything bare, like it or not, about the advantages of living in a subsistence community (as against our modern society). And further, he explains how the rituals work which those folks use to maintain links with the spirits of their ancestors, as well as with the earth and with each other.

   Malidoma's brief but cogent exposition on the reasons behind how animal sacrifice works would flay apart the average modern-day monotheist's supposedly reasoned rants against such practices.

   His chapter-length analysis of the Dagara's typical 3-day funeral ceremony is probably the most cogent dissection and analysis of a societal function that I have ever read, and coming from a true insider makes it that much more accurate as well as poignant, and believable. There's not a wisp of mere speculative cogitation coming from this man.

   This book opened/cleansed my eyes and my soul about African culture at least as much as Gary Snyder's 'Earth House Hold: Technical Queries to Fellow Dharma Revolutionaries' did as regards Asia, way back in 1969. I tend to think that those who approach this discussion with an open mind and heart will find themselves changed in very profound ways, not necessarily painlessly, but possibly, very thoroughly, and for the better.

   I met Mr. Some and his wife, and worked with them for a couple of hours around 12 years ago at a Michigan Medicine Wheel Gathering hosted by Sun Bear and his Bear Tribe. He is all that he seems, and then some. His laughter and sense of humor have almost a madcap quality that seems to reach far into the Otherworld, maybe even stemming from there. Yet he still feels to be very localized/grounded in the world of flesh and bone, as if the two (this world and the 'next') are not all that remote from each other. He's fun to be around, in addition to being bathed with a glow of dynamic, benign power.




3. Malidoma Patrice Somé, author of Of Water and the Spirit, describes a broad spectrum of ways in which rituals can be helpful. His perspective is that of a shaman trained in the West African Dagara cultural tradition, now living and teaching in the US. He eloquently shares his experiences of powerful shamanic healing practices.
   
   For Somé, rituals are potent interventions on many levels. At the social level they are forms for expression of religious beliefs, or communal celebrations. Rituals affirm our connection with our community. A healing ritual may draw together relatives from the immediate and extended family, as well as from the community at large.
   
   "Where ritual is absent, the young ones are restless or violent, there are no real elders, and the grown-ups are bewildered. The future is dim." (p. 12)
   
   Industrial society has lost much of its awareness of rituals.
   
   "Indigenous people are indigenous because there are no machines between them and their gods. There are no machines barring the door to the spirit world where one can enter in and listen to what is going on within at a deep level, participating in the vibration of Nature. Where machines speak in place of gods, people are hard put to listen, even more hard put to vibrate with the realm of Nature." (p. 17-18)
   
   Healing rituals, properly performed, are tools to achieve specific healing effects. People performing the rituals may enhance the power of the rituals through their innate gifts for healing, through their learning in apprenticeship the ways of a shaman, and through the assistance of various natural energies and spirit assistants.
   
   This is a book to be savored, rich in healings on many levels.



4. An absolutely fabulous book, which reads like a novel. Malidoma brings a lot of wisdom, and really get's you thinking. The contents of the book has it's application to life, but certainly also to leadership and the corporate world. If you only want to read one of his books, I definitely recommend this one.



5. If you are serious about understanding power, and healing in community. This is a good book to read.

5 comments about Key to Yourself.

1. This book is as close to a perfectly written book as I have ever read. This book is an exquisite and wonderful gift to any human being. You are doing yourself a great favor by reading this book.



2. I like this chestnut from the good ol' days of self-help advice. The "secret" before infomercials and toll free numbers. Pleasantly repetitive. These days the self-help gurus are flying around having seminars, living in mansions, making guest shots on Oprah. In the 1950s Venus Bloodworth lived quietly in Georgia with a psychiatric practice and occasionally taught lessons to women confined in a nearby state prison. Good one for a night stand in a guest room. Maybe your lost teenager will pick it up.



3. Serendipity drew me to this powerfully poetic and unadulterated book back in the 80s and I've read it at least once a year since that time. It was the answer to a prayer then and it has provided me with answers to countless prayers since. I simply can't imagine navigating life without this treasured guide to life. Do yourself a favor: don't just read it - Trust it. "Some things have to be believed to be seen."
   
   Don't lose this Key: use it!



4. It is true that great things come in small packages. The words of wisdom in this book are worh their weight in everything that you could ever want for yourself.



5. Since I first discovered this book many years ago, I've bought dozens of copies to give as gifts to family and friends. This book truly is a "gift". Venice Bloodworth beautifully and simply, in succinct, no nonsense easy steps, explains the process of how each of us creates the life we experience and how we can change that experience (knowingly or unwittingly) by our thoughts. Then she gives us the tools and processes to enable us to create the best in our lives, as well as the answers for why we are not creating the best. I reread it several times a year and my copy is so highlighted, underlined, asterisked and notated that every so often I have to buy myself a new copy to make room for new notations as I put into practice her concepts. A must read for everyone who wants to take control of their lives!

5 comments about How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything: Yes, Anything.

1. Great insight into the problem of suffering. Ellis gives several methods to overcome negative emotions. However if you read other books of Ellis, there is nothing new although his uses difference clinical examples.He seems to focus on 'Tyranny of Should's' (borrowed from Karen Horney) a lot and feels it as core of neurosis.
   Today CBT is developed mainly expanding Ellis ideas (Thanks to David burns). Burns himself acknowledges him with great respect. If only Ellis was not little eccentric in potraying the pot of gold inside him, he would have been probably received differently. Neverthless, that is his style with noble intention to help people instead of rely on religion alone.
   Ellis truly is great Humanist ..Buddha of 21st century !



2. I love almost anything by Albert Ellis. He uses rational thought processing. This book helps you see glitches in your own thoughts and ideas that set you up for feeling bad. Read this book if you want to see where you can improve on your legalistic thought processes.



3. I purchased this book on the strength of the reputation of its author, Albert Ellis. This was a mistake as Mr. Ellis apparently dashed this off on his way out the door. I suppose when one has written many books, particularly on one subject, re-iteration eventually becomes one giant summary-which this book is. This is a throw away. Both for the author and the reader. I'm looking at it now on my bookshelf, lamenting the waste of money and time. Mr. Ellis probably regrets the time but not the money. If you are seeking an alternate view of reality, and who isn't, check out David Burns, "Feeling Good". Much more substantive and not a gloss over.



4. Some slow reading in some spots, but definitely has some good information to use personally or help a friend with.



5. A terrific book giving you practical guidance for mastering your thoughts and therefore your feelings so that you can face anything in life (and yes, as the title says anything) with courage, common sense, faith, and joy. Totally recommended. - Dr. Lisa Love, Beyond the Secret

5 comments about Pocketful of Miracles: Prayer, Meditations, and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit Every Day of the Year.

1. I have been in 12 Step recovery for most of my life and do a lot of reading on a wide variety of spiritual books by people like Eckhart Tolle and the Dalai Lama and love the essence of Christianity and Buddhism which is forgiveness and kindness. It's difficult to find a daily reader and meditation guide that synthesizes the best from the roots of spiritual beliefs but this little guide is a delight and surprise on a daily basis. It also talks about ego in a very understandable and approachable way (myself and many others have found that ego hates to be looked at and is the artful dodger!) I'm not totally into the Angel belief system when this comes up in the readings but put up with it because the rest is so great.
   Great daily reader and meditation guide!
   Frances H.



2. I read this book every day. It has been a part of my life for ten years. It has new and refreshing thoughts everyday of every year. It keeps me centered. I just purchased three new books to give to people I love. I know that when I am reading it each they are reading it also.
   
   It is the best book to help one working on spirituality that I have experienced. Thanks to my daughter-in-law I have had this gift for ten years.



3. I have been reading this book every day for about 12 years. Year after year, it is always a pleasure to read. I like the way Ms Borysenko draws from different faiths and spiritual paths. This book makes a great gift for someone you love. For daily mediation I also recommend Glimpse After Glimpse by Sogyal Rinpoche.



4. Pocket Full of Miracles in Paperback
   I have purchased this book many times, especially as gifts to my friends. They all rave about the contents and its effect on their spiritual growth. I love this book!!!!!



5. This is a fantastic book which draws from many religious and philosophical sources. I like both the seed thought for the day as well as the suggested action/activity.

5 comments about Complete Life's Little Instruction Book: 1,560 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life.

1. H. Jackson Brown, Jr. is among the best advice givers in today's world of literacy. This book is the best gift for anyone starting a whole new lifestyle. I recommend this book to all young adults, especially those who will soon go on to College. For the game of life is always a hard game to play for young and old alike, and we can ALWAYS use a little or a lot of motivation every now and then.



2. I first found this book on a bargain shelf at my local bookstore and picked it up for just 4 or 5 dollars. It really was a good buy.
   
   It really is not a book that one would want to pick up and read but rather a book that you would want to have lie on your desk at work or on your coffee table at home so that visitors (or clients) can pick it up and turn to a random page and find any assortment of good philosophical sayings.
   
   Each time I pick it up I find myself smiling at the fact that it gives something new each time you open it. With over 1500 entries, it really does give advice on everything. It gives advice on the things that we ethically know, but not necessarily are written down anywhere.
   
   I bought a second copy not long ago for a friend of mine for a Christmas gift. It's a simple little thing that can make a big reaction.



3. I purchased these books for a group of college students that worked together as a staff. Some graduating, some still studying. I can only hope they do take the time to read it (here and there - not all at once) and it helps each one of them be better people. I believe this book has the ability to create role models and help people to treat others with kindness.



4. I loved this little book! This is the result of a dad sitting down to write out a few words of wisdom and advice for his son who was going off to his freshman year at college. The first list was 511 entries, and then, he mailed his son a new collection every two years.
   
   There's some great advice all through this book! And no long stories attached either. Short and straight to the point, each numbered piece of advice is no more than a few lines long. The suggestions cover a broad range, some are serious while others are funny or trivial, but all are honest and good advice, and many are just interesting. Like #841: "When your dog dies, frame his collar and put it above a window facing west" -I've never heard of that before.
   
   I highly recommend this little book as a gifts for anybody in your life and for anything from birthdays to graduations or just because. Would also make a good coffe table or bathroom book too.



5. I enjoyed reading each and every single advice contained in this book. Some of them are quite simple, even obvious. Some are more complex and profound. Nonetheless, everyone deals with those little details, the small things that can be a huge problem, or a great blessing. Awesome choice for a gift...you can hand-pick some of them to make them more giftee oriented or even write a Hopscotch in the manner of Julio Cortázar famous novel. Hope this helps. Worked for me.

2 comments about The Book of Positive Quotations, 2nd Edition.

1. This book is an excellent collection of positive quotes. Particularly useful is that the book is divided into Parts (Peace of Mind, Living One Day At A Time, Preparing For Success, Knowing What To Do, Overcoming Negatives And Uncertainties, Making Dreams Come True), and then sub-parts within those parts (such as acceptance, happiness, prayer, self-confidence, the past, the present, this moment, hope, role models, change, decisions, realistic expectations, fear, worry, risks, courage, success, commitment, just do the footwork then let it go, perseverance, failures and mistakes, the advantages of adversity, reacting to events, etc.). Within every Part are anywhere from five to seventeen sub-parts, and within every sub-part are anywhere from several to numerous quotes. These divisions are very useful when looking for quotes that pertain to a particular topic. The quotes come from a wide diversity of people and time periods, making this a rich source from which to find and choose quotes that fit an individual's present circumstances and can provide encouragement and motivation in those circumstances. With 704 pages of actual quotes, it provides a wealth of quotes to peruse. What I appreciate about this book is that it's not comprised of simply "cheery platitudes," but instead contains many thought-provoking and motivating quotes. This is the best quote book I've come across yet.



2. This book is the best I've seen....on positive quotes and inspirational ones....If you're into inspirational quotes and want them broken down by category, this is your book. ;)~

4 comments about Hannah Keeley's Total Mom Makeover: The Six-Week Plan to Completely Transform Your Home, Health, Family, and Life.

1. This is a great book with great ideas. It really does work for a full-time working mother, as well as a stay at home working mom. Even if you only utilize a handful of her ideas it is worth it.



2. When I first received this book, I read the book quickly without taking the time to get a notebook and complete the daily exercises. When I finished the book, I grabbed a notebook and started back through each chapter. Hannah's advice hit right on target in many areas of my life. Hannah understands the chaos and emotions involved with motherhood. She offers avenues for mothers to take back control of their life. In a world where everyone is selling external fixes to problems, it's nice to read a book that focuses on the internal you.



3. This book was exactly what I needed I'm an at home mom of a 1& 3 year old and have been trying for 3 years to keep my life balanced on a regular basis but only have done that in waves. Until now. Since I quit my job as a 2nd grade teacher to become a full time homemaker, I've never been so driven and motivated. I'm better in so many areas and I'm only at week four in the book. I spend 1/2 hour every day doing the exercises and taking notes. I love that time I spend.I can't wait to get up and read the next day. I recommend it to every mom I know because it has helped my life so much. Hannah is funny and organized the book so well. I love the sequence of chapters, exercises, reminders, and her writing style. It's very easy to read. I want to tell more...but my baby needs me. Any mom could use the information found in this book!WOW! If anyone wants to ask me about it, just e-mail me at Morjulie@gmail.com :)Julie Morris (Patrick Morris is my husband)



4. Hannah Keeley is my hero! This book has helped me get back on track and in control of my crazy life with two sets of twins. Hannah is smart, funny, and well educated. She has a unique perspective and gives you the tools you need to make a difference in your life today. Buy the book.